The frustration of a dead remote control is a common headache in the modern living room. Google TV is addressing this simple but irritating problem by integrating advanced indoor solar technology into its newest reference remote design. This development marks a shift toward greater sustainability and convenience within the streaming hardware ecosystem.
Google TV gets a battery-free solar remote reference: Meet the G32
The initiative involves a partnership between Google supplier Ohsung Electronics and Epishine , a company specializing in thin-film solar cells optimized to harvest energy from ambient indoor lighting. This solution eliminates the need for disposable batteries entirely. Known as the G32 reference remote , it features bifacial solar cells, meaning it captures light from both sides. This ensures the remote can maintain its charge even if it rests face-down on a surface. The approach is especially useful for users who often misplace the remote on a couch or floor.
It’s noteworthy that solar-powered remotes are not a brand-new concept. Samsung previously released a similar remote model for its own TVs, for instance. Google’s move is significant because of its influence on the streaming market. Ohsung is an official reference remote supplier, meaning the G32 is a technical template that manufacturers of Google TV streaming boxes and dongles can adopt. Since previous reference designs (like the G10 and G20) became the industry standard for almost all Google TV accessories, the G32 is expected to see wide adoption across various brands, including devices like Walmart’s popular Onn series .
Currently, this new solar-powered design is not available as a standalone product. It is also not yet bundled with any retail device. However, given the precedent set by past reference remotes becoming the norm, consumers can anticipate that the next generation of streaming hardware will likely ship with a low-maintenance, battery-free remote solution. This should finally eliminate the ritual of scrambling for replacing batteries forever.
